Prisoners Seize Private Prison in Mississippi

A privately-owned prison in Natchez, Mississippi has been taken over by prisoners after a riot broke out on Sunday. This prison is mostly occupied by Mexican illegal immigrants arrested on drug charges and awaiting deportation. As of May 21st, the prisoners still had control over the building.

Eight prison employees are currently inside of the building and one, a 23-year-old guard, has been killed, dying from blunt force trauma to the head. Five other prison employees and an inmate were injured and sent to a hospital outside the facility.

Witnesses and neighbors living near the prison say they have seen smoke coming from the prison after a fire was lit.

The company that owns the prison, Corrections Corporation of America, says they have deployed special response teams, including local law enforcement, to secure the area and protect the public from harm.